Inspection Detail

Inspection: 111750568 - Dow Chemical

Inspection Information - Office: American Canyon District Office

Inspection Nr: 111750568

Report ID: 0950622

Date Opened: 05/03/1991

Site Address:
Dow Chemical
901 Loveridge Road
Pittsburg, CA 94565

Mailing Address:
P. O. Box 1398, Pittsburg, CA 94565

Union Status: Union

SIC:2875

NAICS: 0

Inspection Type: Unprog Rel

Scope: Partial

Advanced Notice: N

Ownership: Private

Safety/Health: Safety

Close Conference: 07/25/1991

Emphasis:

Case Closed: 02/10/1992

Violation Summary
Violations/Penalties	Serious	Willful	Repeat	Other	Unclass	Total
Initial Violations	1			1		2
Current Violations	1			1		2
Initial Penalty	$2,000	$0	$0	$0	$0	$2,000
Current Penalty	$2,000	$0	$0	$0	$0	$2,000
FTA Penalty	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0

Violation Items
#	Citation ID	Citaton Type	Standard Cited	Issuance Date	Abatement Due Date	Current Penalty	Initial Penalty	FTA Penalty	Contest	Latest Event	Note
1.	01001	Other	3203 A01	07/29/1991	08/27/1991	$0	$0	$0		-
2.	02001	Serious	3310 D	07/29/1991	08/27/1991	$2,000	$2,000	$0		-

Investigation Summary

Investigation Nr: 170197164

Event: 05/05/1991

Employees exposed to chemical fumes when relief valve fails

Employees #1 and #2, hired by one of the subcontractors on the PSA project at Dow Chemical, were working in the Sym-Tet chlorine plant. They were approximately 50 ft from the T-104 tank, which held carbon tetrachloride, hydrochloric acid, and chlorine. The T-104 tank was pressurized over the 75 lb limit of the PSV valve, which was designed to discharge into the work area. Employees #1 and #2 were exposed to carbon tetrachloride and chlorine. The chlorine exposure caused serious injuries, and the exposure to carbon tetrachloride was acute without any chronic effects. Dow Chemical was cited for inappropriate design and an inadequate alarm system. The subcontractors were cited for allowing employees to work around the PSV valve without respirators.

Keywords: CHLORINE, TOXIC FUMES, SAFETY RELIEF VALVE, PRESSURE RELEASE, WORK RULES, INHALATION, RESPIRATOR, CONSTRUCTION, HIGH PRESSURE, CHEMICAL VAPOR

Investigated Inspection
#	Inspection	Age	Sex	Degree of Injury	Nature of Injury	Occupation
1	111750568					Occupation Not Listed

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